Hillary hails India

US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has congratulated Manmohan Singh on being named India's new prime minister and complimented the Indian electorate on "their spectacular demonstration of the power of their votes."

The smooth transition of power from the Vajpayee government to the one led by the Congress and its allies indicated the sound democratic traditions of India, she said in a keynote address Thursday at an award function dinner.

Mukesh D. Ambani, chairman and managing director of the Reliance Group was conferred the Asia Society Leadership Award Medal for bolstering relations between India and the US.

Congratulating Manmohan Singh on being appointed prime minister, she expressed confidence that India would enjoy further economic growth under the new government.

She also hoped Indo-US relations would continue to grow in several fields, including in military, economic and political areas.